Are You Ready For A New Day?

Okay, okay, so I talk to inanimate objects. I also talk to trees, the sun, well pretty much anything I come in contact with as I love feeling connected. Some would say I love to talk. 😉 I even talk to the day, yes the actual day. Today is December 26, 2016. A day following a holy Christian holiday and a day spent with family. A day we stop and focus on kindness and giving. A day of love and laughter. I often wonder if December 26th feels slighted. We’re often back to work, feeling overly stuffed on what we ate, and we’re simply headed back into another ‘normal’ day. Or how do you think Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday feel as everyone is seemingly trying to get to the weekend? Friday gets a little reprieve as it’s getting really close to the weekend. Now don’t get me wrong, I LOVE holidays and weekends and yet I have come to understand that truly every day, even the mundane ones, are precious gifts to be cherished and appreciated.

We’re on day 361 of 2016 and as the year comes to an end, I will reflect on each of those 361 days. Some days may not stand out as ‘special’ but I know that while I stood in each of those days there were special moments. Moments were I looked at the clouds and wondered how they could be any prettier. Moments when I listened to the thunder and wondered how I could get closer (and still be safe). Moments when I was very sad but still knew that love was right there with me. Moments that I laughed and laughed and laughed. The holidays seem to stand out a little more on the ‘memory’ factor, but each day is a gift and I try and honor Monday as much as I do Saturday.

So as we close out 2016, I will reflect on the love, on the laughter, on the happiness and I will reflect on the challenges I faced knowing that all of it, yes even those icky challenges, are there to serve me into having the courage to stand tall and stand in love.

Moving forward, I encourage you to reflect on…

Those who enhanced your life by being a part of it. Those that made you laugh, made you feel safe and secure, and because they believed in you, it was easier for you to believe in you. Think of them, smile, and send them love. Of course bonus points if you share with them how important they are to you.

Those who challenged you in a way that was uncomfortable. People who perhaps see things differently than you do. People who made you mad, frustrated, or insecure. Think of them, smile, and send them love. Now remember, sometimes it’s easier to love from afar, so I am not saying to keep these people in your life physically, but send them love from afar.

Your celebrations. Think about all your celebrations both large and small. The smiles that you put on other peoples faces is a reason to celebrate. The kindness you offered to a stranger is a reason to celebrate. Your work promotion. A big project that was completed. A new job. A new relationship. A new home. Reflect and celebrate.

Your sorrows. Now, I’m not asking you to spend much time reflecting on what didn’t work in the past year, but I am asking you to spend a moment to remember they were there to serve not harm you. See if you are in a space where you can now see the silver lining in going through that experience that perhaps you couldn’t in the moment.

The preciousness of life. Each day, perhaps not personally in your day, a baby is taking their first breath and someone is taking their last. Someone is getting married, while others are getting divorced. Someone is excited about a new job, while another is looking for a new job. Each day whether you are in celebration or sorrow is precious and you are so worthy of living a life of deep gratitude.

The fact you get do overs. Well, you can’t do over that exact day. But, you can learn from the day before and make the next one better. Be aware of how you are feeling and reach for a better feeling thought. You can make the next day better than the one before whether it was a great day or a day of disappointment.

So as you move into 2017, leave behind what no longer serves you from you own inner unworthiness to others who detract rather than enhance your life. Move forward with a deeper sense of how precious EACH day is and truly LIVE it. Truly living doesn’t have to be in grand gestures, it can be small steps in being kind, loving, and compassionate.

Until next time, it’s a new day, so LIVE it in LOVE.

Affirmation:

I live each day with an open heart, open mind, and open arms.

Words to Live By

With the new day comes new strength and new thoughts.
~ Eleanor Roosevelt

Old friends pass away, new friends appear. It is just like the days. An old day passes, a new day arrives. The important thing is to make it meaningful: a meaningful friend – or a meaningful day.
~ Dalai Lama

Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year.
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson